Indian River Lagoon Research Institute (IRLRI)

Indian River Lagoon Focus of TechCon Sept. 28 at Florida Tech

Indian River Lagoon restoration techniques such as oyster mats and reefs will be among the topics discussed at the Indian River Lagoon Research Institute's daylong TechCon set for Friday at Florida Tech.

All Events Open to Public;
Registration Required

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Scientists and researchers from around Florida will discuss the latest efforts to fix the ailing Indian River Lagoon as Florida Institute of Technology’s Indian River Lagoon Research Institute convenes its fourth annual Technical Conference on Coastal Water Quality on Friday, Sept. 28.

The conference is open to the public but registration is required.

It begins with opening remarks at 9 a.m. in the Hartley Room on the second floor of the Denius Student Center. Featuring keynote speakers, oral presentations and a posters reception, the daylong conference will explore five themes:

Combating coastal degradation

Muck removal and control

Novel approaches to water quality improvements

Policy, permitting and planning, governance

Restoration techniques

The keynote presentation begins at 9:15 a.m., with oral presentations and shorter “tech teasers” offered from 12:15–12:45 p.m. Lunch is served from 12:50-1:40 p.m. Additional oral presentations are held from 1:40-4:30 p.m., and the posters reception is from 4:45-5:45 p.m.

Presentations include innovative techniques to remove muck; methods to replace plastic utilized in oyster reef restoration; enhanced septic tank technologies; defining indicators for the health of the Indian River Lagoon; comparing hydrodynamic characteristics of oyster reefs of different ages; climate based vulnerability assessments; and septic policies for the Indian River Lagoon.

The keynote speaker is Lew Linker from the Chesapeake Bay Program. His talk will focus on restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The talk will discuss the commonalities between the Bay, which is the largest estuary in the United States, and the Indian River Lagoon, and how we can learn from the multi-generational challenges faced in both watersheds.

Conference registration is $50 per person and includes access to all presentations and lunch as well as a ticket to Friday night’s Estuary Affair Dinner starting at 6 p.m. in the Hartley Room. A student registration package is available for $20 but does not include the dinner. Tickets for only the dinner are available for $25.